Inaugural GradSLAM! Event Kicks Off
February 11, 2015
The UC Merced Graduate Division has launched the campus's inaugural GradSLAM! event, in which Ph.D. students hone their public speaking skills competing against their peers on campus in a research presentation competition. The winner will compete in the first UC systemwide GradSLAM! competition.
GradSLAM! is designed to improve students’ abilities to explain their research or creative work to a general audience with poise and confidence. In the competition, students will have three minutes to present their work in front of non-specialist judges.
The winner of the UC Merced competition will receive $2,000 and the opportunity to compete at the UC systemwide GradSLAM! competition May 4 in Oakland. Two runners-up will receive $1,000 each. All participants will receive a gift from the Graduate Division, and the top 10 qualifiers will each receive a $25 gift certificate to the Campus Store and an invitation to a luncheon with Graduate Dean Marjorie Zatz.
The competition is open to all current Ph.D. students in good academic standing. Qualifying rounds will be held at 4:30 p.m. March 3 in SSB 130. Finals will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. April 7 in the California Room.
This week, Playouse Merced hosted a pair of public speaking workshops for students looking to get a jump on the competition. The workshops, held on campus, were designed to help students understand the dynamics of being effective presenters.
The top 10 qualifiers in the competition will also receive personalized training from Playhouse Merced in preparation for the final competition. Visit the GradSLAM! website for more information.
